bloc 7
dr. Swanny
Physiology Dept.
Oxygen Transport
Oxygen is carried in the blood in 2
forms:
Dissolved O2 (~2% of total O2
content)
O2 bound to hemoglobin (~98% of
total O2 content)
Oxygen-Hemoglobin
Dissociation Curve at Rest
Hypoxia ( PaO2)
Respiratory failure manifesting as
hypoxia is known as oxygentation
failure.
Signs of oxygenation failure:
Tachypnea
Alkalemia (acidemia if concurrent
ventilatory failure)
Increased pulsus paradoxus
Cyanosis
Agitation Somnolence
ALTITUDE MEDICINE
Altitude Stressors
Hypoxia
Over 2000m
PO2 at 5000m half that of sea level
Cold
Drop 6.5 per 1000m
Aridity
Radiation
Hypoxic responses
Respiratory
rate
Cardiovascular
rate and stroke volume
Pulmonary vasoconstriction and cerebral
vasodilatation (increases PA pressure)
Hematology
red blood cell mass and plasma viscosity
O2 Hb dissociation curve shift to left to
increase affinity for O2 (so less delivered to
tissues)
Acclimatization
Acute hypoxic stress is poorly
tolerated but given time to adapt the
body can handle certain degrees of
hypoxia very well
How? Changes in ventilation, blood,
fluid balance, and cardiovascular
parameters.
Acclimatisation
Process by which people gradually adjust to
high altitude
Determines survival and performance at high
altitude
Series of physiological changes
O2 delivery
hypoxic tolerance +++
Acclimatization depends on
severity of the high-altitude hypoxic stress
rate of onset of the hypoxia
Ventilatory acclimatisation
Hypoxic ventilatory response = VE
Starts within the 1st few hours of exposure 1500m
Mechanism
O2 + H2O
Ascent to
altitude
Hypoxia
Decreased PCO2
H2CO3
HCO3- + H+
Improved hypoxia
Adjustment of respiratory
alkalosis
alkaline bicarbonate excretion in the
urine
but slow process !
Progressive increase in the sensitivity of
the carotid bodies
After several hr to days at altitude
(interval of ventilatory acclimatization):
cerebrospinal fluid pH adjustment to the
respiratory alkalosis
Lung diffusion
Definition
Process by which O2 moves from the alveolar
gas into the pulmonary capillary blood, and
CO2 moves in the reverse direction
High altitude O2 diffusion, because
a lower driving pressure for O2 from the air
to the blood
a lower affinity of Hb for O2 on the steep
portion of the O2/Hb curve
and inadequate time for equilibration
V/Q heterogeneity
At rest
At high altitude
interstitial oedema
heterogeneity +++
O2
- Inhaled air is not evenly distributed to alveoli
- Composition of gases is not uniform
throughout lungs
- Different areas of the lungs have different
perfusion
Blood Acclimatization
Increase in EPO within 2 hours benefit in exercise tolerance only
with long term stays. Not important
for alt. Sickness
Increase 2,3-DPG (shifts
oxyhemoglobin diss curve R).
However resp alkalosis shifts curve L
so likely no net effect
If at altitude for a while, red cells
(some advise aspirin while at
Fluid Balance
Acclimatisation
Peripheral venous constriction
increased central volume
decreased ADH and aldosterone
diuresis
decreased plasma volume and
hyperosmolality.
Cardiovascular
Acclimatisation
Increased HR and sympathetic tone
compensates for lower stroke volume
hypoxia pulmonary circulation
constriction
helpful for pneumonia, effusions etc
but not for global hypoxia
leads to pulmonary hypertension
50% at 3500m
Most at 5000m
Altitude Pathophysiology
Hyperventilation
to compensate
for decreased
FiO2
Alkalosis
Episodic respiratory
arrests during sleep
Suppression of
breathing during
sleep
Altitude Pathophysiology
Vasodilation
Hypoxia
Increased
cerebral
blood flow
Increased
Capillary
Permeability
Cerebral
edema
Pulmonary
edema
Peripheral
edema
Increased
cold injury
risk
Altitude Sickness
Symptoms
Mild Acute Mountain Sickness
Headache
Malaise
Anorexia
Nausea, vomiting
Dizziness
Dyspnea on exertion
Dry cough
Decreased urine output
Precautions and
Prevention
Precautions and
Prevention
Plenty of rest
Avoid alcohol
Avoid tobacco
Avoid marijuana
Stay hydrated
Avoid heavy meals
Hypoxia Treatment
Treat the underlying process
Increase FIO2 with supplemental
oxygen
Reposition the body
Secretion management
Bronchodilation
Diuresis
Increase mean lung volume
Reduce O2 requirement
Consider transfusion if [Hb] < 7.0
AMS - Treatment
Mild
Rest and stop
ascent
Descend if not
improved
after 24 hours
Drink fluids
Simple
analgesics
Moderate/Severe
Descend
100m
Acetazolamide
Dexamethason
e
Hyperbaric O2
(Gamow bag)
Thank you